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THEODORE, Jr. 

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4 



Theodore, Jr, 

A Play in One Act 



By 
SALLY SHUTE 

Author of "Miss Todd's Vampire r etc. 



NOTE 



The professional rights in this play are strictly reserve ™a 

out payment o/ro^^^ 

appears on all programmes and advertising issued I in ^ 

with such performances. overusing issued in connection 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1920 





Theodore, Jr. 






CHARACTERS 

Nancy Dorrin. 

Olive Davis. 

Belle Martin. 

Kate Goodwin. 

Maude Smythe. 

Mary. 

A Woman. 

Theodore Harrington, Jr. 




Copyright, 19 19, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 



m 22 



<fV 



D 5JH25 






Theodore, Jr. 



SCENE. — The library of Mr. Dorrin's house, situated 
in a town near a famous summer resort on the North 
Shore of Massachusetts. The room is evidently used 
as a living-room. Opposite the audience there is door 
leading into a hall. On the left a window and on the 
right a fireplace. A door leading into a closet is just 
above the fireplace. The room is well furnished with 
bookshelves, a large library table, small telephone table, 
a sofa, easy chairs, etc., etc. The time is late afternoon 
of a summer day. 

(Nancy Dorrin, an extremely attractive girl of eight- 
een, is sitting in the most comfortable chair in the 
room near the fireplace, counting stitches. She is 
trying to make a sweater. Olive Davis, a pretty 
petite blonde, not quite so modishly gowned as her 
hostess, is knitting steadily with skilful fingers. 
There is silence a few moments after the rise of the 
curtain. ) 

Nancy. Oh, dear! 

Olive. What's the trouble now, Nan? 

Nancy. Count these stitches for me, will you, Olive? 
I can't make them come out twice alike. 

Olive (reaching out for the sweater). Pass it here. 

Nancy. You come and get it. I'm afraid I'll drop a 
stitch if I move. 

(Olive goes for sweater; returns to her seat by table.) 

Olive (counting aloud). Two — four — six — eight 

3 



4 THEODORE, JR. 

Nancy. I wish I had your patience, Ollie. 

Olive. Why don't you try to cultivate it? 

Nancy. That's the worst of it. I haven't enough 
patience to even try to have patience. 

Olive. That's only because you've been petted and 
indulged all your life. 

Nancy. I won't be indulged much longer now dad's 
lost most of his money. 

Olive. Your only salvation is in a wealthy marriage, 
Nan. 

Nancy. Why, Olive, from you of all people! 

Olive. It isn't your fault, Nancy, that you're so help- 
less ; but you simply must marry a millionaire. 

Nancy. That's right, — at least I would be hopeless as 
a poor man's wife. 

Olive. Perhaps if you'd gone with your father and 
mother this summer you might have met your fate. 

Nancy. What, in that little ordinary boarding house 
in the country ! I would hate it ! 

Olive. I'd love it. 

Nancy. Yes, you would. You remind me of a good 
old placid cow, Ollie. 

Olive. Thanks, you're flattering. (Counts.) Two — 
four — six — eight — ten 

Nancy. I meant it for a compliment. I really envy 
your placidity. 

Olive. Twelve — fourteen If you don't keep 

still while I count this, I'll — lose it. 

Nancy (walks over to the window and looks out). 
The count? (Smiling over her shoulder at Olive.) 

Olive. No, my placidity. (Both laugh.) Sixteen — 
eighteen 

Nancy. Isn't it time for the movies to be out? The 
girls were coming here after the show. 

Olive. Who, Kate and Belle ? 

Nancy. Yes, and Belle's cousin, Maude Smythe. I 
was going to give them some tea. 

Olive. Isn't she pretty? 

Nancy. Yes. She's awfully stupid, though ; I'd hate 
to have to entertain her alone. In a crowd she's all right. 



THEODORE, JR. 5 

Olive. The men like her. 

Nancy. Men? There isn't a real man in the town. 
Honest, Olive, don't you think this is an awful stupid 
place? {Takes her seat again.) 

Olive. I suppose you find it so — twenty — twenty-two 
— but being a cow 

Nancy. Moo-oo-oo ! Oh, stop counting, you exas- 
perate me. 

Olive. You're disgruntled, Nan, because you haven't 
half a score of men trailing after you. Summer hotel 
life has spoiled you. This is the first time you haven't 

been to the mountains for years (Passes sweater 

back.) That's all right. 

Nancy. I'd be perfectly satisfied with one man, Olive 
Davis, if he were a real one. You don't consider these 
half -grown boys 

(Bell rings; Nancy makes no move to answer it.) 

Olive. It's Mary's day out, isn't it? 

Nancy. Yes, but if she happens to be in on her " out " 
days she usually answers the bell. Let them ring again, 
then she'll know I'm not answering it. Here, Ollie, I've 
dropped another stitch ; fix it for me like a dear. 

(Olive goes and gets sweater which she had returned.) 

Olive. Does she get your supper, too, now your 
people are away ? 

Nancy. She puts it on the table before she goes out — 
that is if she goes out. 

(Girls come in. Kate Goodwin is a tall girl with a 
boyish figure and a frank manner. Clever bat too 
sharp tongued to be popular with the opposite sex. 
Cousin Maude Smythe is a pretty, inane bit of hu- 
manity, but good-natured. Belle Martin is good- 
looking but just ordinary.) 

Kate. Hullo, everybody! 

Nancy. Nice time to come for an afternoon " knit." 
Where've you been, movies? (She doesn't rise.) 



6 THEODORE, JR. 

Belle. Yes. You girls ought to have gone. Willis 
Trevor was dandy. Wasn't he, Maude? 

Maude. Adorable. A perfect Adonis. I'm just wild 
over him. 

Kate. Stares at the camera every minute. He's dis- 
gusting ! 

Maude. I didn't see him look at any camera. Did 
you, Belle? Where was the camera? 

Kate. Oh, didn't you see him smiling and smirking 
straight at you? 

Maude. At me! How could he be staring at me? 

He didn't know I was (Girls laugh.) Oh, it's just 

one of your jokes. 

Belle. Where shall we put our hats, Nan ? 

Nancy. Oh, anywhere. 

(Girls go into hall to hang hats on rack; as Kate is 
about to go out she takes a letter out of her pocket.) 

Kate. Oh, I almost forgot this. The postman handed 
it to me on the doorstep. It's for your mother. 

(Hands letter to Nancy, who has remained sitting 
through the conversation. Nancy looks at letter and 
opens it. She redds it while girls are in hall. Olive 
is trying to recover the lost stitch.) 

Olive. Do you always open your mother's mail, Nan ? 

(Girls come in. All have knitting bags. They knit 
while Nancy reads.) 

Nancy. I thought this was from Aunt Jane. She's 
in the mountains now. Mean thing, she might have taken 
me with her. Mind if I read it, girls ? 

Girls. No. 

Maude. Oh, what an adorable sweater you're making. 
Look, girls, at Olive's sweater. 

(Girls crowd about Olive to look at sweater.) 



THEODORE, JR. J 

Olive. It's Nan's. I'm trying to pick up some 
dropped stitches. 

Kate. Lucky Nan, some one always looks out for 
you. Look at Nan's face, girls; I do believe she's got a 
proposal. 

Nancy. Oh ! I haven't half read it yet, but it's aw- 
fully exciting. Want me to read it to you? 

Girls. Yes, do. 

Kate. Let's all get seated first. Come, Maude, you 
can look at that sweater later. 

(They all find seats and Nancy prepares to read.) 

Belle. All ready, Nancy. 

Nancy. ' First, I must tell you, this is from a very 
wealthy — I might say a disgustingly wealthy lady, who 
is the proud mother of an only child, a boy, or rather a 
man. 

Maude. How interesting! 

Kate. Adorable! (Mimicking Maude.) 

Belle. Please let Nan read it. 

Kate. Go ahead, Nancy; you have my permis- 
sion 

Nancy. " My dear Anna " 

Maude. Oh, I thought your name was really Nancy. 

Olive. The letter was written to her mother. 

Maude. Oh, that's my mother's name too, she 

Nancy (girls exchange glances at Maude's remarks). 
" I know you will be surprised to hear from me after all 
these years." 

Maude. Just like the letter in the play this afternoon. 
Willis's father, or was it his uncle? — yes, Willis's father 
was 

Nancy. Well, girls, shall we listen to Maude's ac- 
count of the play before 

Kate. Postpone it, Maudie — indefinitely. 

(Maude smiles good-naturedly.) 

Nancy. " I think the last time you wrote me was 
when your little girl was born. She must be quite a 
young lady now." 



8 THEODORE, JR. 

Kate. How did she guess it? So clever of her. 

Maude. Why, I don't think that was very clever. 
Any one would grow into a young lady in eighteen 
years 



Olive. Any one? Quite a sweeping remark, Maude. 
( Girls laugh. ) 

Maude. Well, wouldn't one? 

Kate. Maude, you're hopeless. Do let Nan read. 

Nancy. " I truly meant to have answered that letter, 
but you know what demands a society woman has on her 
time." 

Belle. Yes, we know 

Nancy. " To come to the point at once — I am going 
to ask a great favor of you. I have learned lately 
through a mutual friend that your husband lost a greater 
part of his property during the war. For several weeks 
I have been much worried over Theodore. He is not 
happy here. The mountains seem to get upon his nerves. 
The doctor thinks it may be the altitude; anyway he is 
miserable and his father agrees with me that he cannot 
stay here." 

Kate. Ah, I see a light. The lady wants to come to 
Fairport for the summer 

Nancy. Wait ! 

Maude. Why, I should think 



Kate. Yes, you should but you don't. 

(Girls laugh.) 

Olive. Oh, Kate, you say the worst things ! 

Nancy. " I am, as you see by this address, in the 
woods away up in the White Mountains, and here I must 
stay, as my health demands " 

Belle. Can't you skip some? 

Nancy. That's important. The health of a prospec- 
tive mother-in-law. 

Girls. Nancy Dorrin ! 

Nancy. Well, to continue 



THEODORE, JR. 9 

Olive. Without interruption. 

Nancy. Good for you, little one ! 

Belle. Oh, I don't think we will ever get to him. 

Kate. I think it would be a good idea to read every 
word. A man inherits his mentality from the maternal 
side. By her words we can judge him. 

Nancy. She's all kinds of a fool judging from this. 
(Reads.) " Er — er demands it." 

Maude. What demands which? 

Olive. Her health demands that she stay in the 
woods. 

Maude. Oh ! 

Nancy. " Now the moment I heard that you had lost 
your money I thought, How fortunate ! " 

Kate. She's a thoughtful creature ! 

Nancy. " I will ask them to take Theodore to board. 
You see I couldn't bear to think of his being homesick 
and lonely, and he does dislike strangers so." — Poor us, 
with only one maid to our name. — " I don't think you will 
find him any trouble. So long as he has plenty to eat he 
seems satisfied. Since we came he has taken milk three 
times a day and just before retiring." 

Olive. I wonder if he likes it warm. 

Kate. " Straucht frae the coo," as the Scotch say. 

Belle. Better buy him a bottle, Nan. 

Maude. I don't believe I shall like him. 

Kate. Write for him not to come. Maude doesn't 
approve. 

Belle. He's a sissy. Imagine having to let his mother 
decide where he shall board 

Nancy. " His father thinks I am foolish." 

Kate. Shake hands, father. 

Nancy. " Perhaps I am, but you see he is an only 
child. Not one bit spoilt though, as even his father will 
admit. And, Anna, he is so handsome ! He has his 
father's eyes and my hair — mother was always so proud 
of my hair — and such a soulful expression " 

Maude. Just like Willis Trevor 

Kate. You may count me out of the running. I 
think I'll go out and take some bicarb of soda 



10 THEODORE, JR. 

Maude. I told you those caramels would make you 
ill. 

(Girls laugh.) 

Olive. Oh, come, Kate, maybe he's a great husky, 
but as his mother's an invalid, of course he wouldn't do 
anything to displease her. I don't think one can tell any- 
thing by a mother's description anyway. 

Nancy. Olive to the rescue, as usual. Well, let's get 
along. " Your girl " — listen to this, if you please — 
" Your girl will adore him." 

(Girls scream.) 

Belle. You're making that up, Nan. 

Nancy. True as I live. That's just what she has 
written. " I hope she is fond of walking." — She isn't. — 
" Theo is very fond of the out-of-doors. He spends a 
great part of the time riding, too. If you have had to 
dispense with your auto, I will hire one or send you the 
one he is most attached to. We have no chance to drive 
one here." 

Kate. I hope it isn't a runabout for two. 

Nancy. If it is, we'll have turns. I'll take no mean 
advantage, girls ; until he begins to show a decided incli- 
nation toward — some one of us, we'll share and share 
alike. 

Belle. You're very generous, Nancy. 

Nancy. " Now if I do not hear from you unfavor- 
ably, I shall start him off on the seventeenth." 

Olive. How old is he, Nancy ? 

Nancy. Just the age of my brother Edward — twenty- 
two. 

Belle. It's the seventeenth to-day. 

Maude. She probably means the seventeenth of next 
month. 

Kate. What's the date of the letter, Nan? 

Nancy. July second. There must be some mistake 
or delay in posting. Let's see what else she has to say. 
Ah ! here this explains it. " I am going to give this to the 
grocer's boy to post, as we are miles from the office." 

Olive. Oh, the grocer's boy forgot to post it. 



THEODORE, JR. II 

Belle. Then he may be here at any minute. When 
is there a train due, Kate? 

Kate. No train now until after five. It's pretty near 
that now. What will you get for his supper, Nan? 

Nancy. Supper ! Good gracious ! I didn't intend to 
have any supper. I thought if we had afternoon tea I 
wouldn't bother with supper, as it's Mary's afternoon out. 

Maude. I should think you would have to order some- 
thing nice for a millionaire. 

Nancy. The only thing I can make is a rarebit ; if 
that won't satisfy him, he can go to a hotel. 

Maude. He'll have to go there anyway; you haven't 
any chaperon 

Kate. Don't send him to a hotel, Nan ; some summer 
girl will grab him. 

{She says something to Belle and goes out. ) 

Olive. Telephone your Aunt Anna to come over for 
a few days. 

Nancy. That's a good idea. I'll do it. {She goes 
to 'phone.) 257W. No, 2-5-7W. Oh, these girls! 

They're so stupid Hullo! is this you, Aunt Anna? 

Yes, it's Nan Oh, I'm all right, thank you. 

Aunt Anna, can you come over and stay with me 

for a few days ? No, they're coming next week. 

No, Mary is here, but Mr. Harrington is coming 

on the next train No, wwexpectedly, and I need you. 

But you must come That's fine 

Olive. Tell her not to come until after supper. We'll 
see you through that. 

Nancy {in 'phone). You needn't come until after 
supper. Good-bye. She'll think I'm awfully hospitable. 

Olive. Now, Nancy, you must think what you are 
going to give him for breakfast 

Belle. Yes, and dinner and supper 

Maude. Won't he want his dinner at night ? 

Nancy. Oh, I wish he didn't have to be fed. What 
shall I get, Olive? 

Olive. Lamb's always good but — it's awfully high. 

Belle. He's going to pay for it. Nan should worry. 



12 THEODORE, JR. 

Maude. Don't forget his milk. 

Olive. You'd better order an extra quart from your 
milkman. 

Nancy (at 'phone). 422M. That's right, 422M. 
Well — hullo ! What, police department ! No, I don't 
want the police department. What is the milkman's 
number, Olive? (Olive looks up the number.) I was 
sure I knew the milkman's 

Olive. 950. 

Nancy (in 'phone). 950. Yes, please. Hullo, Mr. 
Smith, this is Miss Dorrin talking. Mr. Smith, will you 

please bring us an extra quart of You don't sell it 

any more 

Olive. Oh, Nan, I gave you the wrong Mr. Smith. 
That was the saloon-keeper. 

Girls. Oh ! 

Nancy (shutting off quickly). Well, I'll have a dandy 
reputation before I get through this. Will you kindly 
give me the right 

Olive. Oh, here it is. Mr. James V. Smith, milk 
dealer — 422W. 

Nancy (in 'phone). 422W. Yes " W," not " M." 
You gave me " M " before. You ought to have known I 

didn't want Hullo, is this Mr. Smith ? Are you 

the milk dealer ? Will you bring us an extra quart 

of milk 

Olive. Until further notice. 

Nancy. Until further notice. Thanks Oh, Miss 

Dorrin Mrs. M. G. Dorrin. There, I'm glad that is 

over! 

Belle. Aren't you going to telephone the meat man ? 

Nancy. Oh, girls, do tell me what to get. 

Maude. You ought to have peas with lamb, and cu- 
cumbers are nice 

Nancy. They won't go with milk well. 

Belle. Better get a lot of different vegetables. Men 
are so finicky, you never know what they particularlv dis- 
like. 

Maude. That sounds just like Kate. 

Olive. Where is Kate? 



THEODORE, JR. 13 

Belle. Said she was going to get some flowers for 
decoration. 

Nancy. Here, Maude, you do the telephoning and 
we'll tell you what to order. 

(Maude exchanges places with Nancy.) 

Maude. What's his number? 

Olive {consulting book). 5762 — You want Babson's, 
don't you, Nan ? 

Nancy. Yes, but please don't give us Babson's Livery 
Stable. 

( Girls laugh. ) 

Olive. Babson's Market — 5762. 

Maude (in a honey sweet voice). Central, please give 
me 5762 Yes, thank you. — They don't answer. 

Nancy. Central's powdering its nose. Jiggle the re- 
ceiver. 

Maude (business with receiver). Give me 

What was the number, Olive? — Just a minute, Cen- 
tral 

Olive. 5762. 

Maude. 5762 Yes, thank you Oh, hullo, 

is this the Meat Market? Maude Smythe — no, 

Maude, M-a-u-d-e That's right. Oh, is that you, 

Ben? Oh, are you? Isn't that nice? I'd simply adore 

it Yes, I'm up to Nancy Dorrin's. We're going 

to 

Nancy. For Heaven's sake, Maude! 

(Girls show amusement through this conversation.) 

Maude. Nancy wants me to order the dinner. ..... 

Yes, a young millionaire 

Nancy. Here, give me the 'phone. 

Maude. It's Ben Cotton. I couldn't be rude to him. 
(In 'phone.) I was speaking to Nancy 

Nancy. Order lamb. 

Maude. Lamb. No, I wasn't calling you names. 
(Giggles.) Nan wants a lamb. 

Nancy. A leg of lamb, you goose. 



14 THEODORE, JR. 

Maude. A leg of lamb, and 



Nancy. Potatoes, beets, squashes, cucumbers, onions, 
radishes 

Maude {very rapidly). Potatoes — beets — squashes — 

onions — radishes I don't know. One of each, I 

mean two 

Nancy. Get up, Maude. (Maude rises with a bewil- 
dered look; in 'phone.) Never mind I say never 

mind. This is Miss Dorrin Yes, I'll order later. 

(Snaps out.) Good-bye. 

Maude. I'm sorry, Nan ; I'm sure I tried to 

Olive. Maude didn't — understand. 

Nancy. She never does. Aunt Anna can do the 
ordering. I'm exhausted. 

(Bell rings.) 

Belle. It's him. 
Nancy. Gracious ! 

(All listen expectantly for Mary to answer tKe bell. 
Maude takes out vanity case and powders her nose. 
Belle is evidently a bit nervous. Nancy adopts a 
nonchalant air, while Olive sits complacently knit- 
ting. A noise like a suppressed giggle is heard off, 
then the door opens and Kate, dressed in Nancy's 
father's evening clothes, wearing a small mustache 
and carrying a tall hat and stick, enters. At first the 
girls do not recognise her, but gradually it dawns 
upon them who it is.) 

Kate. Ah ! Good-awfternoon, ladies. I'm not unex- 
pected, I trust. Which of you, may I enquire, is Mrs. 
Dorrin ? 

Girls. It's Kate ! 

(All shout with laughter.) 

Kate. Walked all the way from the station, by gin- 
ger! in this broiling heat. I'm Theodore Harrington. 
You got mama's letter, didn't you ? 

Belle. Yes, Theo. Shall I milk the cow, Nan? 



THEODORE, JR. 1 5 

(Kate sings " Won't You Wait Till the Cows Come 
Home," dancing about room. Girls join in song.) 

Nancy {interrupting). Did you write that letter, 
Kate Goodwin? If you did, I'll never forgive you, 
never ! 

Kate {laughing). No, I didn't write the letter. The 
postman really gave it to me as I was coming in. 

Maude. You make an adorable boy, Kate. Doesn't 
he, girls ? Why, I really thought for a 

(Kate walks about ogling the girls.) 

Nancy. Honest, Kate, didn't you 

Kate. No, dearie, but I really thought you needed a 
little rehearsing for the reception of Theodore. And 
haven't I proved myself right? You were altogether too 
nonchalant, Nancy, dear; in fact, you quite overdid it. 
Olive's hand was trembling and she didn't really take a 
stitch. Belle was awfully nervous, and Maude's nose is 
a sight. You quite gave yourselves away. 

Maude. Is he really coming? 

Kate. How do I know ? I tell you I didn't write that 
letter. Look at the postmark if you don't believe me. 
(Nancy examines letter.) Isn't it about time to begin 
the rarebit? 

Maude. Oh, let's wait until he comes and he can help 
us. Don't you just adore 

Olive. I think it would be wise to get everything 
ready. We might leave the cheese for him to help cut. 
It would be less embarrassing for him to have something 
to do 

Maude. Imagine eating cheese cut by a real million- 
aire ! 

Kate. Where you going to serve it, Nan — in the 
dining-room ? 

NancY. No, right here. I always make chafing-dish 
things here for dad Sundays. You'll find everything you 
need right in that closet. I'm going out to pick those 
flowers that Kate didn't. Olive, you take charge, will 
you? The crackers, olives, sandwiches, etc., are in the 
pantry. [Exit. 



l6 THEODORE, JR. 

Kate. Isn't it like Nan to leave everything for some 
one else to do? 

Belle. Oh, she'll always be waited upon 

Maude. She'll just have to marry Theodore 



Olive (taking table-cloth from closet). Here, Kate, 
help me with this. 

(Kate hurriedly takes books and magazines from 
library table; she and Olive lay cloth.) 

Kate. Get busy, Maude. 

Maude. What shall I do? 

Belle (with chafing-dish in hand). Put this on the 
table. 

Maude (obeys). Oh, the knives! Let's see, how 
many do we need? 

Belle. We don't need any for a rarebit. 

Maude. Well, forks then. Let's see There's 

me and Theodore and Nan 

Kate. Notice the sequence, girls? 

Maude (looks uncomprehendingly at Kate). and 

you and Olive and Belle. Six. 

(Goes to closet for forks. Belle places tray contain- 
ing silver cream pitcher, sugar-bowl, etc., on table.) 

Olive. There won't be room to sit about the table. 
We'll have to hold our plates. [Exit. 

Maude. Where do you suppose he will sit? 

Kate. Right here beside you, Maudie. (She pulls 
Maude down on the sofa beside her and puts her arm 
around Maude's waist.) Isn't this adorable? 

(Maude giggles; Olive enters zuith sandwiches and 
olives, and Nancy comes in carrying a big bunch of 
flowers in a tall vase. ) 

Olive. Put them right in the center, Nan. Aren't 
they lovely ! 

(Girls stand admiring the results of their labor when 
the bell rings.) 

Kate. Goodness ! Let me get out. 



THEODORE, JR. \J 

(She makes a mad rush for the door.) 

Girls. Your hat ! Your hat ! 

(Kate returns, grabs hat, rushes toward door, trips 
on mat. The girls are laughing heartily. Mary 
enters. ) 

Mary. It's a woman, Miss Nancy. She says she 
wanted to see your mother, but you'll do. Shall I ask 
her in ? 

Nancy.' Yes. (Mary exits.) What a bother! I 
hope she will know enough not to stay long. (Mary 
ushers in a large woman with a voluminous skirt, who 
stands just inside the door.) How do you do? I'm 
sorry mother isn't at home 

Woman. Didn't she expect me? Mrs. Harrington 
said she wrote 

Nancy. Mrs. Harrington! 

Woman. Yes, about boardin' Theodore. 

Nancy. Yes, oh, yes. 

Woman. Well, here he is. 

(She draws forward a tiny little boy of about three 
or four years of age who has been hidden behind her 
skirts. ) 

Girls. ' Oh! 

Nancy. That Theodore ! I thought he was — bigger. 

(Girls giggle.) 

Woman. I guess, Miss, you was a-thinkin' of his pa. 
Beats all how they do grow up. Theodore he's been mar- 
ried quite a spell now. This is Theodore Harrington, Jr. 

( Tableau. ) 
CURTAIN 



TEN BOYS' FARCES 

With an Introduction on impromptu Dramatics 
By Eustace M. Peixoito 
This very original collection of plays for boys is one of the most inter- 
esting books of its kind that we have ever offered, both in its matter and 
in its origin. They are for boys and they are also largely by boys, hav- 
ing grown rather than been written, much as the Iliad was ; having been 
spoken many times until their form was satisfactory and then written 
down. They were thus originated in The Columbia Park Boys' Club, of 
San Francisco, and have all been many times acted — one of them, «« Ro.^ie, 
the Girl from Paris," having been presented several thousand times iii 
public as well as in private since its beginnings in 1900. "The Last 
Rehearsal" has been performed about two thousand times in this country 
and in Australia. The collection is offered with confidence that it is an 
adequate answer to that most difficult of all requests in this line — " a good 

" y ■> Price, 25 cents 

CONTENTS 

Introduction. 

Ding-a-Ling. For six boys. 

The Last Rehearsal. For six boys. 

Rosie, the Girl from Paris. For nine boys. 

The Teacher's Pet. For seven boys ; pupils ad libitum. 

Lost But Found. For eight boys. 

Political Promises. For six boys. 

When the Cat Is Away. For seven boys. 

The Evil That Men Do Lives After Them. For three boys. 

Chips Off the Old Block. For four boys. 

The Tramp Barbers. For seven boys. 

A TROUBLESOME FLOCK 

A Mother Goose Play for Children 
By Elizabeth F. Guptill 
Ten boys, fifteen girls. Mother Goose costumes ; scenery unimportant. 
Plays forty-five minutes. This welcome addition to the small list of 
Mother Goose entertainments can be given in any hall or schoolroom, no 
special setting being required, and can easily be presented by a smaller 
number than twenty-five children, the full cast called for, by eliminating 
some parts. The music called for is printed with the songs in each case, 
Strongly recommended. 

Price, 25 cents 

THE DOLL THAT SAVED AN ARMY 

An Historical Play in Four Scenes 
By Edyth M. Wormwood 
Twelve boys, six girls and as many soldiers as are desired. Costumes 
of the Revolution ; scenery, simple. Tlays thirty minutes. Five char- 
acters may be eliminated by doubling, making it possible for thirteen 
children to give the play. Important papers are got to General Wash- 
ington's hands inside the doll of a patriotic American girl whose adven- 
tures constitute the action. Recommended. 

Price, /j cents 



TEAM-WORK 

A College Comedy in Three Acts 

By H. Q. Gallupe and Charles Gott 

Prize-winner , Pen, Paint and Pretzel Contest, Tufts College, November, igio 

Ten males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. 
Plays two hours and a quarter. The college course of Bob, the mainstay 
of the football team, is threatened by his father's ruin, due to the schem- 
ing of the uncle and patron of Humphrey, a classmate. Humphrey places 
his own standing in jeopardy to save his chum and finally saves the situ- 
ation. This is the backbone of a strong play with very strong and various 
incidental interests and lots of first class comedy. Good atmosphere, lots 
of humor, strong characters ; can be highly recommended. 

Price, 25 cents 

CHARACTERS 

Stewart Almy, " Toot," a ?nember of "Paint and Powder," 1 a 

dramatic club. 
William Jefferson Jordan, "Shine," the playwright, member of 

"Paint and Powder. 
Bob Richards, captain of the football team, host at Forest Lodge, 
H. Gardner Humphrey, football manager. 
Frank Bell, electrician for " Paint and Powder." 
Bill Black, 



stage hands for "Paint and Powder.' 



Jack Brown, 

Tom White, 

Sam Green, 

Messenger Boy. 

Dorothy Sprague, 1 

Edith Richards, Bob's sister, I Students at Jackson College. 

Ruth Sargent, J 

Mrs. Hodgkins, Bob's aunt, the chaperon. 

Amy Sinclair Grandby, a Radcliffe student, Edith 's friend. 

SYNOPSIS 
Act I. — Dining-room at Forest Lodge, morning. 
Act II. — Same as Act I. Evening of the following day. 
Act III. — Stage of the college gymnasium, on the afternoon 
preceding the performance of the Paint and Powder play. 

THE CRIBBER 

A College Comedy in Three Acts 
By W. P. Mcintosh 
Six males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three easy in- 
teriors. Plays an hour and a half. A student finds an examination paper 
that a professor has mislaid and hides it for temporary safety in another 
student's desk, where it is found in a search for a lady's letter by a jealous 
rival. The case looks black against a very popular man for a while, but 
is finally cleared up. Co-educational piece, with good atmosphere and 
lots of incidental fun. 

Price, 13 cents 



THE SLACKER 

A Patriotic Play in One Act 

By Jewell BoiJiwell lull 
Two male, seven female characters. Scene, an interior; costumes, 
modern and military. Plays forty minutes. The hero, beyond the draft 
age, has not enlisted because he deems it to be his widowed mother's wish 
and his sweetheart's preference, as Well as his own duty not to do so. He 
tries on the uniform of a friend who is going, "just to be in it once," and 
being discovered, finds to his surprise that both his mother and his fiancee 
have been miserable under the charge that he is a " slacker " and are re- 
joiced to have him make good. Picturesque, patriotic, dramatic — an ideal 
play for a Red Cross Entertainment. Strongly recommended. 

Price, 25 cents 

CHARACTERS 

Grant Moore. Mrs. Smith, his mother. 

Mrs. Moore, his mother. Ella Brown, his sweetheart. 

Betty Caldwell, his fiancee. Mrs. Ralph. 
Benny Smith, a young lieu- Mrs. Elton. 
tenant. Mrs. Jones. 

Other ladies and girls of the Marsville Red Cross Society. 

A ROMANCE IN PORCELAIN 

A Comedy in One Act 
By Rudolph Raphael 
Three males, one female. Scene, an interior ; costumes, modern. 
Plays twenty minutes. Cecilia and Clarence, engaged to marry, resort to 
Dr. Spencer before the knot is tied to secure a new upper set. Their troub- 
les in concealing their errand from each other reach a climax when both 
sets are stolen and the truth has to come out. Very funny and heartily 
recommended. Price, 25 cents 

A PROFESSIONAL VISIT 

A Comedy in One Act 
By Rudolph Raphael 
Two males, one female. Scene, an interior ; costumes, modern. James 
Winlhrop, impecunious, calls upon his old friend, Dr. Raleigh, also hard 
up, to discuss the situation, and ends by getting engaged to the Doctor's 
landlady, a rich widow, who calls to collect the rent. Very swift work. 
Recommended. Price, 25 cents 

THE GO-BETWEEN 

A Dramatic Comedy Playlet 
By Harry L. Newton 
One male, two females. Scene, an interior ; costumes, modern. Plays 
twenty minutes. Hezekiah, jilted on the eve of his wedding to Muriel, a 
heartless adventuress, who has ruined him, is rescued from suicide by 
Jane, a country sweetheart, in a capital little piece, mingling humor and 
pathos most adroitly. Strongly recommended. 

Price, 25 cents 



TEDDY, OR, THE RUNAWAYS 

A Comedy in Three Acts 

By Walter Ben Hare 

{Originally produced at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York City \ 
February 16, IQI2. ) 

Four males, four females. Scenery, a single interior ; costumes, mod- 
ern. Plays two and a quarter hours. An eloping couple take refuge with 
the Junipers when their auto breaks down. The lady explains that they 
are being pursued by her brothers, so when a sheriff and posse arrive in 
pursuit of two thieves, Mrs. Juniper locks them down cellar to let the 
lovers escape. The sheriff gets out and arrests the Junipers whom he 
accuses of being the thieves. It finally appears that the lady is an author- 
ess and that she and her husband are posing as thieves in order to gel ma- 
terial for a novel. Full of action; characters all good; lots of comedy; 
strongly recommended. 

Price, 2 'J cents 

CHARACTERS 

Jean MacLean, Little Miss Fixit. 
Mrs. Juniper, a Young Wife. 
Victoria, the Girl in the Taxi. 
Tex an A, the Girl of the Golden West. 
Max Juniper, the Perplexed Husband. 
Alonzo Willing, the Fortune Hunter. 
Ted Keegan, the Man on the Box. 
Sheriff Jim Larrabee, Officer 666. 
Two Deputy Sheriffs 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Living room at Max Juniper's house on a Texas ranch. 
Spring time. 

Act II. — Same as Act I. The great diamond robbery. 
Act III. — Same as Acts I and II. The thunderbolt. 



WANTED— A PITCHER 

A Farce in One Act 

By M. N. Beebe 

Eleven males. Scenery not important; costumes, modern. Plays half an 
hour. Hank Dewberry, the crack pitcher of the home nine, is kept from 
the championship game by his skinflini father who wants him to do the hay- 
ing. Hank's friends try to find a substitute pitcher, with humorous but 
unsatisfactory results. The elder Dewberry finally releases Hank when 
one of the players shows him how to win the county championship at 
checkers, on which he sets his heart. Hebrew, Irish, Italian and " hay- 
seed " comedy character parts. Recommended. 

Price, 15 cents 



THE VOICE OF AUTHORITY 

A Farce in Three Acts 
For Female Characters Only 
By Bertha Currier Porter 

Seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, a plain interior. Plays 
two hours. Seven girls go camping all by themselves so as to have no 
men bothering around. After a week of it they decide to send for their 
brothers and fiances, but they have no sooner done so than they are noti- 
fied that their camp has been quarantined by the authorities because one of 
them the day before has been seen holding a baby that has the scarlet 
fever. The men arrive, but are not allowed to enter, and the girls can- 
not come out. Trouble follows, ended by the discovery that the baby did 
not have scarlet fever after all. Full of life and laughs ; strongly recom- 
mended. 

Price, 25 cents 

CHARACTERS 

Jean Campbell, the stenographer, engaged to Bert. 
Priscilla Carter, the newspaper woman, engaged to Ralph. 
Martha Stearns, the cooking teacher, engaged to Max. 
Gladys Cushing, the butterfly, engaged to Charlie. 
Margery Whiting, the bride-to-be, engaged to Billy. 
Elizabeth Kennedy, independent, not ejigaged at all. 
Dr. E. T. Simpson, the physician. 
And 
The Voice of Authority, unseen but all-powerful. 

THE COMING OF ANNABEL 

A Comedy in One Act 

By Alice C. Thompson 

Six females. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays thirty 

minutes. A group of village gossips, bent on the slaughter of the char 

acter of a visitor to the town, are routed and reformed by the example of 

Annabel's charity and amiability. Good character. Clever and effective. 

Price, 1 j cents 

THE MISSES PRINGLES' LEAP YEAR 

A Comedy in Two Acts 
By Amaryllis V. Lord 
Ten females and the apparition of a man. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 
mimportant. Plays half an hour. The Misses Barbara, Priscilla and 
lietsy Pringle, while scorning matrimony in public, have a secret inclina- 
tion toward it, and taking advantage of leap year, each, without the 
knowledge of the others, proposes by letter to Deacon Smith with sur- 
prising results. Very easy and amusing, requiring no scenery and but 
little rehearsing. 

Price, 75 cents 



RED ACRE FARM 

A Rural Comedy Drama in Three Acts by Gordan V. May. Sever 
males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one interior, one exte- 
rior. Plays two hours. An easy and entertaining play with a well-bal« 
f.nced cast of characters. The story is strong and sympathetic and the 
comedy element varied and amusing. Barnaby Strutt is a great part for 
i good comedian ; " Junior " a close second. Strongly recommended. 

Price, 2 'j cents 

THE COUNTRY MINISTER 

A Comedy Drama in Five Acts by Arthur Lewis Tubbs. Eight males, 
five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery not difficult. Plays a full even 
mg. A very sympathetic piece, of powerful dramatic interest ; strong and 
varied comedy relieves the serious plot. Ralph Underwood, the minister. 
is a great part, and Roxy a strong soubrette ; all parts are good and full 
of opportunity. Clean, bright and strongly recommended. 

Price, 25 eents 

THE COLONEL'S MAID 

A Comedy in Three Acts by C. Leona Dalrymple. Six males, three 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays a full even- 
ing. An exceptionally bright and amusing comedy, full of action ; all the 
parts good. Capital Chinese low comedy part ; two first-class old men. 
This is a very exceptional piece and can be strongly recommended. 

Pi ice, 25 cento 

MOSE 

A Comedy in Three Acts by C. W. Miles, Eleven males, ten females. 
Scenery, two interiors ; costumes, modern. Plays an hour and a half. A 
lively college farce, full of the true college spirit. Its cast is large, but 
many of the parts are small and incidental. Introduces a good deal of 
singing, which will serve to lengthen the performance. Recommended 
highly for co educational colleges. Price, ij cents 

OUR WIVES 

A Farce in Three Acts by Anthony E. Wills. Seven males, four fe- 
males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and 
a half. A bustling, up-to-date farce, full of movement and action ; all 
the parts good and effective ; easy to produce ; just the thing for an ex- 
perienced amateur club and hard to spoil, even in the hands of less 
practical players. Free for amateur performance. Price, 25 cents 

THE SISTERHOOD OF BRIDGET 

A Farce in Three Acts by Robert Elwin Ford. Seven males, six fe« 
males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, easy interiors. Plays two hours. 
An easy, effective and very humorous piece turning upon the always in- 
teresting servant girl question. A very unusual number of comedy parts; 
ill the parts goo J. Easy to get up and well recommended. PHce, 23 cent 



Plays and Novelties That Have Been " Winners " 



The Americana 

Anita's Trial 

Art Clubs are Trumps 

Behind the Scenes 

The Camp Fire Girls 

A Case for Sherlock Holmes 

The Farmerette 

Getting the Range 

Her First Assignment 

Hitty's Service Flag 

Joint Owners in Spain 

A King's Daughter 

The Knitting Club Meets 

A Udy to Call 

Leave it to Polly 

The Minute Man 

Miss Fearless & Co. 

A Modern Cinderella 

Moth-Balls 

Rebecca's Triumph 

The Thirteenth Star 

Twelve Old Maids 

An Awkward Squad 

The Blow-Up of Algernon Blow 

The Boy Scouts 

A Close Shave 

The First National Boot 

A Half- Back's Interference 

His Father's Son 

The Man With the Nose 

On the Quiet 

The People's Money 

A Regular Rah ! Rah ! Boy 

A Regular Scream 

Schmerecase in School 

The Scoutmaster 

The Tramps' Convention 

The Turn in the Road 

Wanted— A Pitcher 

What They Did for Jenkins 

Aunt Jerusha's Quilting Party 

The District School at Blueberry 

Corners 
The Emigrants' Party 
Miss Prim's Kindergarten 
A Pageant of History 
The Revel of the Year 
Scenes in the Union Depot 
Taking the Census in Bingvllle 
The Village Post-Office 
Women in War 



Males Females Time 



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Royalty 

Free 



#5.00 

Free 
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BAKER, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Plays for Colleges and H 



The Air Spy 

Bachelor Hall 

The College Chap 

The Colonel's Maid 

Daddy 

The Deacon's Second Wile 

The District Attorney 

The Dutch Detective 

An Easy Mark 

The Elopement of Ellen 

Engaged by Wednesday 

The Farmerette 

For One Night Only 

Hamilton 

Hlgbee of Harvard 

Hitty's Service Flag 

The Hoodoo 

The Hurdy Curdy Oirl 

Katy Did 

Let's Get Married 

London Assurance 

Lost a Chaperon 

The Man from Brandon 

The Man Who Went 

The Man Without a Country 

Master Pierre Patella 

Me and Otis 

The Minute Man 

Mose 

Mr. Bob 

Mrs. Briggs of the Poultry Yard 

Nathan Hale 

Nephew or Uncle 

Professor Pepp 

A Regiment of Two 

The Revenge of Sharl-Hot-Su 

The Rivals 

The Romancers 

The Rose and the Ring 

Sally Lunn 

The School for Scandal 

She Stoops to Conquer 

Step Lively 

The Submarine Shell 

The Thirteenth Star 

The Time of His Life 

Tommy's Wife 

The Twig of Thorn 



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25c 
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Special 
Free 



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Free 



$10.00 
Free 



Special 
Free 



For " special " royalties, see catalogue descriptions for 
detailed information. 

BAKER, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 



